Week 12 Picks

Record for Week 11 - 9-7

Cincinnati (+10) – I like the Bengals to close the spread against a division rival.  Their defense has looked a lot better. 

Houston (+3) – The Texans should beat the Browns, who played a competitive game against the Colts last week. 

The 49ers (+11) - That’s too many point for a Dallas team that barely beat the Redskins, who played like garbage for most of the game.  The 49ers just blew out the Rams, and some of that momentum should carry on into this game. 

Buffalo (-3)- The Bills played like garbage on Monday night but it was still a close game in the end.  Still, they usually pull out wins against teams below .500 team and KC is one of them.

Chicago (-8) - The Rams look terrible plus the Bears are due for a good game after getting killed by the Packers.  

Miami (-2.5) - New England looks a bit worn out due to their injuries.  It will be tough for them to win on the road against Miami.  

Tampa Bay (-8 ½) – I don’t like the Lions to close the spread two weeks in a row.  After almost beating the Panthers, I think the Lions will have difficulties keeping this one close.

Tennessee (-6) – They’re supposed to lose at one point, right?  Well I’ll keep picking them to win.

Jacksonville (-2.5) – I look for them to rebound after a tough loss to the Titans

Baltimore (-1.5) – The Ravens got blown out by the Giants.  So did the Eagles.  The Eagle’s offense is struggling and the Ravens have a MUCH better team than the Bengals

Oakland (+9.5) – It’s the Broncos and their defense is still bad.  The Raiders get to play the role of spoilers.

Carolina (-1) – I like the Panthers chances after a scare against the Lions.  I like their two headed rushing attack with Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to lead them to victory. 

New York Giants (-3.5) – I think they will get a good pass rush on Kurt Warner and they will continue to run the ball effectively.

Washington (-3.5) – The Redskins haven't done that well in Seattle in recent history.  Still, this is a much different Seattle team whose defense is nowhere near as good and an ineffective running game.

Indianapolis (+3) – The Colts are on a winning streak, and the Chargers are on a losing streak.   

Green Bay(-2.5) – Reggie Bush is still a question mark and the Packers defense should be up to the task against Drew Brees.

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My Week 11 Picks

New England (-3) – The Patriots always seem to have the Jets number. It also depends upon which Brett Favre decides to show up.    

Denver (+5) – While the Falcons beat up the Saints, the Broncos put together a great 4 quarter where Cutler threw for over 200 yards.  While the Falcons secondary was able to shut down Saints passing game, I think the Broncos aerial attack is much more impressive.  The Bronco’s defense is really bad, so this is far from a lock.   

 

Philadelphia (-9) – The Eagles have a propensity of blowing out mediocre teams and the trend should continue with Carson Palmer out for the year.

 

Houston (+9)- The Texans just matches up well with the Colts, partly because they are division rivals that see each other twice a year.  The Colts needed a miracle to win their last game against the Texans by 4 points.

 

New Orleans (-5) – Both teams get back their starting running backs (Johnson and Bush).  I think the Saints rebound after a tough loss to the falcons.

 

Oakland (+10.5) – Oakland kept it close for most of the game against the Panthers.  I think their defense is underrated and the Dolphins have a tendency to play down to their opponents.

 

Baltimore (+6.5) – I like the Ravens chances of keeping this one close.  The Ravens defense is on whole another level.  It will be up to Joe Flaco to see if he can make plays.

 

Tampa Bay (-4) – I think the Bucs defense will give the Vikings problems.  Adrian Peterson is the X factor, but the Bucs are a much better team at home. 

 

Detroit (+14) – While Carolina plays much better at home, the Lions defense can probably keep this close after a humiliating loss to the Jaguars.   The Lions even have a chance to pull out a W, given how inconsistent Carolina can be. 

 

San Francisco (-6)- The 49ers were impressive in a loss against the Cardinals that could have been a win.  I think the Rams peaked in a 3 week span against the Redskins, Cowboys, and Patriots.

 

Seattle (+3) – the Seahawks get key players back like Hasselbeck and Deion Branch.  Plus the Seahawks are at home.

 

San Diego (+4.5) – When the Chargers come in as underdogs, they usually exceed expectations.  The Steelers, while solid, are by no means invincible at home as proven last week against the Colts. 

 

Tennessee (-3) – The Titans are simply a really good team and I don’t see them letting down against a divisional rival.

 

Washington ( pick’em) – Portis is questionable and Tony Romo is coming back.  I don’t feel like any team has a big advantage over the other, so I’ll use homefield as a tiebreaker.

 

Buffalo (-5) – Buffalo has been struggling as of late.  It makes sense that a tough Patriots defense would shut down the Bills.  I don’t see the same thing happening against the Browns.  Plus I think the Bills will be able to game plan against Brady Quinn after his 1^st game in the NFL.